The American Express Blue Cash Everyday® Card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® are two of the most popular cash back credit cards on the market, and for good reason.
Both cards offer generous rewards rates on everyday spending, but they have different strengths and weaknesses.
General Comparison
The American Express Blue Cash Everyday card is renowned for its cashback rewards, with a focus on everyday expenses like groceries and gas. On the other hand, Chase Freedom Unlimited offers higher cashback on Ultimate Rewards purchases, dining, and better cashback for other purchases.
Both cards offers 0% intro APR and carry a foreign transaction fee.
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Chase Freedom Unlimited | Amex Blue Cash Everyday | |
Annual Fee | $0 | |
Rewards | 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases. | 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.Terms Apply. |
Welcome bonus | Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months |
0% Intro APR | 15 months on purchases and balance transfers , then 20.24%–28.99% variable APR | 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, then 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
APR |
Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% | 2.7%. See Rates & Fees. |
Purchase APR | 20.24%–28.99% variable | 19.24% – 29.99% Variable |
Read Review | Read Review |
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Cashback Battle: Blue Cash Everyday vs. Chase Unlimited
In terms of cashback potential, the Chase Freedom Unlimited holds an advantage, particularly for individuals who frequently make travel-related expenditures through Chase Ultimate Rewards. When you book your yearly vacations and additional travel expenses via this program, you stand to earn a higher cashback amount.
Conversely, if your spending habits lean more towards gas and everyday purchases, and you already possess another travel credit card, the Blue Cash Everyday, known for its absence of an annual fee, might be the more appropriate choice for you.
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Spend Per Category | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Amex Blue Cash Everyday |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $225 | $270 |
$5,000 – Restaurants
| $150 | $50 |
$4,000 – Airline | $200 | $40 |
$3,000 – Hotels | $150 | $30 |
$4,000 – Gas | $60 | $120 |
Estimated Annual Value | $785 | $510 |
![Redeeming points with Chase Freedom Unlimited](https://dev.thesmartinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Chase-app-see-earned-rewards-e1705997329160.png)
Which Extra Benefits You'll Get With Each Card?
Besides the bonus points and welcome bonuses, both cards come packed with additional perks. Overall, the extra benefits of the cards are quite similar, but Chase protections and insurance benefits are broader.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Drive with confidence as you get coverage against theft and collision damage. Simply decline the rental company's insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. This coverage is applicable to most cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Experience flexibility in your travel plans with reimbursement for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares. It covers up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip in case your trip is canceled or interrupted due to covered situations.
- My Chase Plan: Enjoy financial flexibility with My Chase Plan on the Unlimited card. Easily pay off eligible purchases of $100 or more in equal monthly payments with no interest, only a fixed monthly fee.
![my chase plan](https://dev.thesmartinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/my-chase-plan-apply_2-e1705997700797.png)
- Instacart+ Benefit: Enjoy a complimentary 3-month Instacart+ membership with bthe Freedom Unlimited, granting you unlimited deliveries at $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders.
- 5% Cash Back/5x Points on Lyft Rides: Elevate your Lyft experience with enhanced rewards on the card through March 31, 2025, providing 5% cash back or 5x points on all Lyft ride purchases.
- Cellular Telephone Protection: The Unlimited card ensures peace of mind with up to $600 in cell phone protection. Simply pay your monthly cell phone bill with the card, and enjoy coverage, subject to a $25 deductible.
- Purchase Protection: The card extends a safety net to your new purchases, offering 120 days of coverage against damage or theft. Benefit from up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Extended Warranty Protection: Amplify your warranty with the Unlimited card, extending the U.S. manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less.
American Express Blue Cash Everyday
- Additional Car Rental Insurance: When you use your Blue Cash Preferred card to reserve and pay for your car rental, you’ll receive additional car rental loss, damage, and theft insurance.
- Purchase Return Protection: You can enjoy return protection on eligible items with up to $300 per item and a cap of $1,000 per year. You must make your purchases with your card and negotiate with the seller first.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: Earn an $84 Disney Bundle Credit by receiving a monthly $7 statement credit when you use your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card to make monthly subscription payments of $9.99 or more.
- Amex Plan It: Plan It® is a payment feature that allows you to break down purchases of $100 or more into monthly installments with a predetermined fee.
- Amex Send & Split: this is a handy tool for anyone who wants to send money or split bills with friends and family.
![Amex send and split](https://dev.thesmartinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Amex-send-and-split-e1705494270616.jpg)
- Exclusive Ticket Presale Access: Via American Express Experiences, you can obtain exclusive access to card member only events and ticket presales for concerts, sporting events, shows, and family events. Terms Apply.
- $180 Home Chef Credit: Receive a $180 Home Chef credit when you select the ideal Home Chef meal kit. You'll enjoy up to $15 in statement credits monthly when you use your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card to subscribe to Home Chef.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
When You Might Want the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card?
You might prefer the Chase Freedom Unlimited card over the Blue Cash Everyday in several scenarios:
- Higher Travel Spending: If you spend a significant amount on travel and dining, as Freedom Unlimited offers a higher cashback rate in these categories, it can be a more rewarding option.
- Need Better Protections: The Chase Freedom Unlimited card offers more relevant protections for travelers, such as trip cancellation, cell phone protection, and extended warranty protections.
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When You Might Want the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card?
You might prefer the Blue Cash Everyday card over the Chase Freedom Unlimited in several scenarios:
- Everyday Expenses: If you tend to spend a significant portion of your budget on groceries and gas, the Blue Cash Everyday is tailored for these categories and offers higher cashback rewards, making it more lucrative for your specific spending habits.
- You Have Another Travel Card: If you don't plan to use the card as your travel credit card, it may be a better choice than the Unlimited card.
![American Express Blue Cash Everyday special offers](https://dev.thesmartinvestor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/American-Express-special-offers-e1705494611161.jpg)
Compare The Alternatives
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card | |
Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $0
|
Rewards |
1.5X
1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time and no expiration on points
|
2X – 5X
2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
| 1X – 3X
3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Also, earn 1X points on other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening – which can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
|
75,000 miles
| 20,000 Points
20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0 | $0
|
Purchase APR | 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply. | 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
| 20.24% – 29.99% variable
|
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